The Journey of Writing Dashavatar: The Story of How I Became a Published Author

First things first. I wrote a book! And miracle of miracles, it actually got published. And it is doing quite well, if I may say so myself. But let me go back a bit and share with you how I actually got here. The initial idea for this book wasn’t mine. Instead, it was my publisher …

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Book Review: Escape Velocity

I have a special affinity for short stories, and especially, ones with female protagonists. Here was an entire collection! The previous such book I had read was Madhulika Liddle’s Woman To Woman (and, interestingly, the friend who had recommended it to me is a part of this collection too.) What’s intriguing about this collection is that …

The Z-Factor

(contd from here) ‘Thank you, Aru!’ Aradhana exclaimed. ‘It such a beautiful painting! Where did you learn to draw the giraffe like this? My god, you’re learning things faster than I can cope up.’ She admired the card in an exaggerated display of love and appreciation. Aryanka’s eyes shone with pride. Mommy liked the gift, …

Yours, Forever

Aryanka put in the final strokes of colour and paused to see her handiwork.  The edges were a little off, she thought and set down to correct it. Finally, after two hours of painstaking work, she stepped back and looked at the clock. It was almost eight o’clock. The bell would ring any moment now. …

An Early X’Mas

(contd. from here) An hour later, Dinesh, her husband sat at the dining table. ‘Why couldn’t you solve their fight and make them pasta?’ He helped himself to another helping of rice and dal. ‘Because I am not Wonder Woman or Super Woman or an incarnation of any God. I am a normal woman and …

Wonder Woman (No More)

After a long tiring day at work, Hina looked forward to a restful evening of a long warm bath and the company of a good book. Upon entering the house, she was greeted by a sight she hadn’t expected. Toys lay strewn all over the living room floor. There were scraps of paper lying around. ‘Mommy …

Vengeance with a Smile

Rupa defiantly stared back at the slice of sinful indulgence - the dark gooey chocolate brownie. It had given her enough heartbreak over the last few months. Have it, not have it - it was always a battle between the heart and the mind. Rupa remembered how she had excitedly announced to her husband she …

Unconditional Love

Rohit’s temple pulsed faster than the blinking lights of an emergency vehicle. His being called for questioning was another attempt by the authorities to get to the bottom of what happened and catch the culprit. Unfortunately, all the evidence was stacked against him. He looked up and pleaded innocence. ‘I… I didn’t do it. I …

A Stitch in Time

The wind was picking up speed. Worried the weather would worsen before she could reach home, Titu hurried. It was important to collect all the material to put it all together. She infused renewed energy in find the binding agents she so desperately needed. She had started her search a week ago. Her foresight and …

Silver Linings

(contd. from here) The darkness hung low outside the window and in her mind. The breeze slowly picked up speed and competed with the onslaught of thoughts running through her mind. She stood there a long time, watching as the clouds opened up and let free the arrows of water droplets. They crashed and thrashed …

It’s Raining, Men

The storm clouds darkened the sky. The accompanying thunder stayed in the distance. Jayati stood at the window – the floor-length glass pane offering her an unhindered view of the building across the garden that separated them. The day earlier had been darker than the sky overhead. Snippets of conversations from during the day plagued …

Que Sera Sera

Avantika watched from afar. Her heart thudded like it would cause an explosion in her bode any time. She tried calming her nerves but it just didn’t help. How could it? He had just walked in. Avantika ran to the pantry, under the pretext of another cup of coffee. He’d surely go past the pantry …

Pride Goes Before A Fall

The rising sun threw streaks of orange and red across the sky. Arjun tried racing with the wind, desperate to reach the next tree before the leaves started rustling due to the breeze. He lost. He reduced the speed and tried his latest stunt again. Letting go of his hands while pedaling. He’d grown used …

Nod of Happiness

(contd. from here) ‘What? Why? Then what will you do with these mangoes if not sell them?’ 'Here, take one.' The man offered a mango to Rajat. 'There's only one condition. You have to eat it right here.' Rajat looked around them. A plume of dust arose as a bus rolled past them. With one hand …

The Mango Man

Rajat looked out the window and noticed the weary, sweaty public without the comforts of luxury and riches he was accustomed to. Were they happy? Did they not feel the pang of poverty? What was it they would buy if they had all the money in the world? Across the road, Rajat spotted an elderly man …

The Last Yes

She remembered a similar morning a long time ago. Or had it really been just a few years ago when she had stood at the exact same venue? Everything seemed to be the same today too. A morning filled with hope, cheer, excitement – moisture laden clouds dotting the sky, a cool breeze spreading a …

Kitchen Politics

Rhia stared at the lump of blackened mass in front of her. This was supposed to be dinner, she thought. With a sigh, she called up her husband, expecting the usual taunts again. Again, she’d have to admit to being a failure in the kitchen. Again, her mother-in-law would offer to teach her some dishes, …

Just Another Day

I don't know how to start this story. I just don't. I've made several different attempts but deleted them all each time.  May be because instead of giving you one story based on the alphabet J, I want to give you three! Just Another Day, under Readomania Shots (an online imprint for short stories, poetry and flash …

An I for an I

Rhia couldn’t believe the words being hurled at her. She recovered quickly enough and yelled back at her accuser. ‘You’re always only expecting me to handle everything. As if I am your personal maid, house-cleaner, cook, etc. Don’t I have feelings? What about me? What about what I like?’ ‘What about you, huh? What about …

Exceptions Are Always There

If there was one thing that had been ingrained in Rhia all her life was that she had certain expectations to live upto. ‘Be quiet. Girls are supposed to be quiet.’ ‘Be more girly. Look at how you are standing!’ ‘Behave yourself. Don’t be so free to start dancing in the street. ‘Arey, if you behave …